Wrench



F. D. FRANSQN WRENCH Filed Nov. 21,. 1922 IN VEN TOR.

EDI an on. r BY 6 h ATTORNEY to the other jaw and hatented Nov. 16, 1926.

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' j FRANS nrRAnsoir, or oAKrn vncALIroRNIA. 5i i WRENC Application filed November 21, 1922.. Serial no. 02,486. 7

My invention relates to the type of Another object of the invention is to pro-,

vide awrench of the character described in which the movable jaw is normally maintained in locked position and may be re-.

leased instantly and completely to allowof its unrestricted sliding movement.

A further object of the invention is'to provide a wrench of the character described which can be manufactured at a cost notexceeding that of the common screw-operated type of wrench.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with I the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of the preferred form of my invention which is illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the specifirations. It is understood that I do not limit myself to the showing zmade by said drawings and description, as I vmay adopt variations of the preferred form within the scope of my invention as set forth in the claims. 7

Referring to said drawings: 7 Figure 1 is a'rear elevation of one form of the wrench.

- Figure '2 is a side elevation of the wrench shown in Figure 1, the movable jaw of the wrench being shown in section.

Figure 3 is a transverse section taken through the movable jaw of the wrench.

As illustrated in Figure 2, the wrench comprises a fixed jaw member 5 which in cludes the jaw 7 and shank or lever 8'preferably formed rectangular in transverse section. Slidably mounted on said shank is a movable jaw member 9 provided with a jaw 10 and having a main opening 12 in which said shank engages. Engaging in the opening 12 and interposed between the forward side 13 of the shank and the inclinedinnerface 14 of the member 9 is a wedge 16 which As here shown the spring isseated on an ex tension 18 formed on the member 9 and presses againstthe end 19 of the wedge.

' The .rearlside 21 of vtheshank is serrated l or fluted, the serrations being disposed transversely of the shank. V Formed in the side 22 of the opening which faces side 21 of the shank are similar serrations.

In this.

manner with the wedge firmly held iniposition the serrated sides 21 and 22 of the respectlve members wlll engage each other and thereby lock the jaws against any relative- The serrations are formed eX-, tremely fine and close to each other. In this movement.

manner the movable jaw member may be locked practically in any position ,with respectto the fixed jaw,

Means are provided for drawing the wedge backwardso that the member 9 may be released and permitted to slide freely on the shank so as to change its position rela tive the jaw 7. As here illustrated, said means comprises a lever 29 which is pivoted to the member 9 and connected to the wedge by means of a link 31. With this construction, to-release the wedge it is merely necessary to press the lever inwardly thereby forcing the wedge backwardly against the resistance of spring 17, thus releasing the member 9 for movement relative ;to a the shank. As soon as the member has been moved to the desired position the lever. may be released and the wedge will automatically return ,to its normal position, thereby in"- stantly locking the jaws in position.

While I have shown my invention incorporated in one form of wrench,'it is obvious that it may be incorporated withother types of wrenches if desired. I v

' I claim: a

1. A wrench comprising a fixed aw member provided with a shank having a fluted side, a movable jaw member slidably mounted on said shank having a fluted inner face for engagement with said fluted side and having an inclined inner face opposing another side of said shank, awedge fitting be tween and arranged to engage said inclined face and said last mentioned side, a spring bearing against said wedge and movablejaw arranged to urge said wedge inwardly between said inclined face and opposing side whereby said fluted parts will be firmly held together, a lever fulcrumed' on's a'id movable jaw, and a link connected to said lever and wedge whereby upon the rocking of said le-' Ill)- V61 said Wedge may be moved outwardly.

2. A wrenchcompnslng'a fixed aw-member having-a 'shank, a movable 'jaW member hold said members locked together, a spring;

bearing between said Wedge and movable jaw to urge sa1d Wedge to'rema1n seatedya lever fulcrumed on said movable jaw, and a 10 link connected to said lever and Wedge whereby upon the =roekmg of 'SflldlGVGl said edgemay be unseated.

In testimony Where0f,-I have hereunto set my hand, at Oakland, this 28th day of Octo- 15 her, 1922.

I FRANS D. FRANSON. 

